SUNDAY 11 SEPT TIMBER CREEK/ BORDER N.T./W.A.

Well hi to all, hope you are all going great. Better than Hully, who we have spoken to a few times since his hospitalization and operation. He hasn't changed....... still cracking jokes.....still not funny !!!!            So we have moved on from Jabiru

 and here is what has happened since then............MONDAY 5th Sept....We packed up and left the park at Jabiru stopping on the way out at the bakery for some finger buns & rolls, (none for Carol!) we then caught up with the others as we travelled west on the Kakadu Hwy, the scenery is still quite boring, we stopped at the sth entrance of Kakadu and took photos of the hugh rock sign. We then traveled another 200m to the Mary River Roadhouse & van park. It was $30 a nite here, with no eftpos/receipt, public ph, no mb service, no shade, water a bit how you are going, so its a one nite only stop. We had morn tea, did a few things around the van, had some lunch & then we headed off to Gunlom Falls, with the Bewells coming with us and Tez & Di taking their car, it is a 39km dirt road, corrugated, rocky in some parts, so we four and everything else in the car bounced around for 1/2hr or so.

When we finally arrived, there is a waterfall that is still flowing, falling into a large pool, which was sooo inviting. There is also a track up to the top of the falls, which is fairly steep and rocky, Caz & I decided to give it a go, even though it was quite warm, but we took our time,  stopping for a break & water 3-4times. It takes us approx 10min to get to the top and it was well worth it, with 3 different pools, each one you can swim in,  with one on the edge of the falls overlooking Kakadu, it was so picturesque,

most probably the best thing in Kakadu (its where Grant Denyer of Sunrise programme was) the water was clear and not at all cold and after the walk a welcome swim, we stayed for about 1/2hr but could have stayed heaps longer, its was so good, we were the only Aussies up there all the others approx 9adults 3 children were all foreiners, we then made out way back down ,which was harder on rans's knees, especially when we got off -track by 10-20m, but we made it down and met up with the others and had another swim in the bottom pool, which was also nice, Oh just as John was getting out I was behind him and said where do you step out & he said "Here" and at that precise time he went to stand up, but slipped over with his feet sliding in opposite direction & fell onto his side and luckily he just missed a sharp tree stump from enpailing him......he just slid back into the water hoping no one saw him.... but guess what.... a number of people seeing the fall, at first concerned for him & then all trying not to laugh !! Anyway he was alright, so we headed back to the car for another bumpy ride home. On arrival back at the Roadhouse, we had a couple of drinks and a nice tea again, even though we are getting low on food items....TUESDAY.... We packed up and head off early towards Pine Creek, passing Pussy Cat Flats, another camping ground with a golf course, we then came to a railway crossing with mounds so you can't see the trains coming but it has a boom gate, so we go through, can't see any trains and we then turn left back onto the Stuart Hwy and no sooner have we turned and a train comes flying along past us, it must have been touch & go with us crossing!! anyway we continue down the Stuart Hwy towards Katherine, there have been bushfire's go through since we last came past this area back on the 24th July (seems so long ago). We got to Katherine, set up at the Big 4, which is a huge park with shade, we  have morn tea and then we head off to Bank, computer shop, info centre, camp shop re a circuit breaker for our evakool fridge/freezer, & of course woolies and the liquor shop!! We also washed the car after that dusty bumpy trip 2 days ago. We then made our way back for tea. Caz made some phone calls and Caz & I then went to the show in the park with a fella named Geoff Evans singing a few songs, it was enjoyable, and it was also the last nite for entertainment in the park as its nearing the end of the season. WEDNESDAY....Caz and I up early and went for a walk to the hot springs,

which were very clean & clear, and this time it was very inviting, we then made our way back for breaky and then went out to the fridge repairers place to get the breaker installed, then more shopping, then back to unpack groceries, and also pack up ready to leave in the morn, do washing etc etc. Its very warm today so head off to the pool for a dip. Spoke to a couple who have done the Kimberley's a couple of times, they say its great, so much to see & do so we are getting excited about the next stage of our trip. THURSDAY..... We are packed and gone by 8.15am heading west, the first 70km is the same scenery but then you come to Victoria River Region and the escarpments, hills, rocks &  river is just so "amazing" The TV show "

Keeping up with the Jones", they have their property at the back of the roadhouse, which goes for kilometres, we stop for a break and some photos, we then continue west, seeing an increased number of Brahmas & cattle and we stop at a place called Timber Creek. This is the last stop before the border, so we set up in an Aboriginal run park, it is a lovely, clean, tidy & green park with limited shade (we are under a hugh boab tree...no leaves), 

& the caretaker is  very friendly & helpful. There is a creek at the back, so Tezza & I went to  set some traps, but whilst there, we heard a splash across from us, even though we didn't see it, there is no doubt it was a croc going in, off the embankment, so we kept a watchfull eye out and were ready to do the Usane BOLT!!! even with Terry's gumy leg. It got hot late arvo around 37deg but yesterday here was 42!! Around 2am it got very windy, so we had to pull in the awnings to stop it from flapping, then leaves, twigs & nuts off the trees were hitting the roof for the rest of the nite.....not much sleep!! FRIDAY....Still lots of wind gusts with very smokey air, its a Southerly so its a bit cooler. We went & checked on the pots....nothing !!! Ransleys, Bewells & Di went on a road trip into the Gregory National park. We travelled along a good dirt road for 47km until we came to the Bullita Homestead, a place beside the East Baines River where Charlie Schultz and his wife lived. This place was of signifigance to Di & Caz as they had read a book on his life about him.

There was an old stockyard, and the homestead as well as a airstrip & a hugh Boab Tree. We then drove to a lookout which looks over Limestone Gorge, it was very interesting with all the rocks and calcium dried up creek. We then went on a 20km track (Tuwakam Track) that took us across to Jasper Gorge, this track was Ok for the first 10km and the last 5km but in between it was very very rocky, but with a little assistance, John did a great job 4wheel drivng.( Sandra was having a fit & Di & Carol ooohed & Arrrd over ever bump !!) Out here, there is not much wildlife, we only saw 4 roos and one Plains Turkey. It took us 1hr 45min to do the 20kms and once on the Gorge road we stopped for lunch but had to eat it in the car due to the amount of flies.

After lunch we drove through the gorge, which was a fantastic sight with huge escarpments each side of the road, we then turned around & headed back to camp. Overall we did over 200km's and were away for over 6hrs.....

 It turned out to be a fun day, with many one liners thrown between each person about everything and nothing!! Once back we cleaned Johns car as it was covered deep with red dirt. Had a nice tea and watched the footy, got my first Cane Toad with the van legs winder !! ( closet thing to a one iron !!) It is still windy here and had some huge gusts during the night. SATURDAY......Up and we did some washing, which took about 1/2hr to dry, the 3 boys then went down to the Victoria River for a fish, although it was very windy, there is an area out of the wind but again no luck.....and they make it look so easy on TV!! Suppose you should only go fishing for Barra on a monday (mundi !!)......HA HA. A lazy arvo as we all haven't slept too well due to the wind over the past 2 nites.

We went for a drive to the lookout which has magnificant views of the Victoria River & town as well as the mountain ranges, We then went down to Policemans Point Lookout which is on the river and has great views back along the river banks, we then went to the old Police Station and see how life was back in the 1900's.

 We then came back for dinner and watch some footy.  GO THOSE MIGHTY SEA EAGLES!!!!   SUNDAY....We are heading off now, so will close this blog here, there has been so many wonderful things to see & do in the Northern Territory & now we will be heading to Western Aust ( our 4th state) to see more of this beautiful country. Hope this finds you all well, our love to everyone, miss you all, special thoughts to Hully, Bron & the girls, With lots of love Rans & Carol  X X X X

 Everyone knows how Rans's stomach plays up, well below is the end result after one of his episodes which have been many!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!